Scouting Book: The Best Baseball Prospects for the 2010 Season

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2010

Now updated for 2010's Top Prospects

Scouting Book's Top Prospects list is a calculated summary of the overall valuations of the entire prospect universe. Prospect 'rankings' change constantly. For more on our methods, see this blog entry.

Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010

Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.

1. Stephen Strasburg

RHP, WAS

One of the best college pitchers of any class in memory, righthander Stephen Strasburg mixes a high-90's (and low-100's) fastball with a highly-effective (and unusual) curveball/slider type pitch for a devastating 1-2 punch. He wasn't a strikeout pitcher early in his college career, instead focusing on pitching to contact, but his K rate has been rising steadily since 2007. A few experts are concerned about his delivery, but it's important to take that with a big grain of salt: there was also a choir united about Mark Prior's 'perfect' mechanics, once, too.

While his college coach (Tony Gwynn) claims he's 'special' and could pitch in MLB immediately, most scouts would prefer he spend at least half a season in the minors before taking on the bright lights with his 103mph heat and 'ungodly breaking stuff'. There's an expectation that Washington will hold him back to avoid hurting his impending MLB career, but no matter how long they hold him down in the minors, this is a pitcher with several Cy Youngs and a couple of Stephen Strasburgs in his future.

More Scouting Book Info on Stephen Strasburg >

SB #1 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #2 | SN n/a | ES #2

2. Jason Heyward

OF, ATL

Say Heyward, but don't say it just yet. A real treasure for the Braves as 2007's 14th overall pick, the left-handed Heyward has been lauded for his developing plate discipline and 30-homer power potential for a couple of years now.

He's not really a prototypical center fielder, though he could play there in a pinch. Better to pencil him into right field for 2011, or even sometime in early to mid-2010, when he should get at least a shot to win a job out of a spring training competition with Matt Diaz and whoever else the Braves bring to town. A real five-tool player, he doesn't have one breakout skill, he has five very well-rounded ones. He might not be a fantasy stud anytime soon, but he should be the All-Star face of the real-world Braves franchise for years to come.

More Scouting Book Info on Jason Heyward >

SB #2 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #1 | SN n/a | ES #1

3. Neftali Feliz

RHP, TEX

An eighteen year old Dominican whose fastball has been clocked at 98mph, Feliz was a sleeper deep in the Atlanta system, scooped by Texas as part of the prospect package that sent Mark Teixeira to the Braves. He's still raw, but when he's wild he's effectively wild.

He demonstrated how dominant he could be from the bullpen at the end of 2009, but it's the rotation where he could really shine. If his stuff and control can hold up three or four times through a batting order, he could be something special enough that we'll have a King Feliz to accompany that other guy soon enough. If he stumbles as a starter, he could still be a great young closer, something Texas could most certainly use anyway.

More Scouting Book Info on Neftali Feliz >

SB #3 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #7 | SN n/a | ES #13

4. Mike Stanton

OF, FLA

A high-school outfielder drafted 76th overall in 2007, Stanton went on to destroy high A Jupiter in 2009, raking at a .294/.390/.578 clip while adding 12 home runs in 50 games. His average suffered a bit after a promotion to AA Jacksonville, but his power remained (16 more home runs and a .455 slugging average.) A talented overall player with the tools to fit in at almost any position, he's being worked in right field at present, but could be moved almost anywhere else in the future. His plus power from the right side is aided by studious preparation and discipline beyond his young age. In the field, he has a plus arm, great range and a winning attitude. A rising star in Florida, don't be surprised to see him patrolling center or right for the Marlins as soon as late 2010.

More Scouting Book Info on Mike Stanton >

SB #4 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #3 | SN n/a | ES #5

5. Desmond Jennings

OF, TB

Seen for a time as a raw talent that hadn't shown the polish or discipline to be mentioned along with other leading outfield prospects, Tampa outfielder Desmond Jennings is still lurking in the wings.

A multi-sport high school player, the big, strong and fast Jennings (45 steals in 2007) was seen by many as the second coming of Carl Crawford, in a good way. But his 2008 season was a train-wreck, derailed by back, shoulder and knee injuries that limited him to 24 games. It might have been for the best, as he was hitting 50 points below his previous year when he was finally shut down for the season. In 2010, he'll need to show that he's both fully recovered and ready for the next level if he's going to move up the charts in Tampa.

More Scouting Book Info on Desmond Jennings >

SB #5 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #6 | SN n/a | ES #6

6. Madison Bumgarner

LHP, SF

Such a name. Such a talent. A tall, strong lefthander, Bumgarner is the Giant pitcher most ready to follow Cain and Lincecum to glory by the Bay.

A fireballer with decent control, Bumgarner's been clocked as high as 96mph, though he struggled to break 90 in his taste of MLB ball last season. His breaking pitches are not as well-developed as that fastball, but they're coming along. A flame-throwing lefty like this is worth the time and investment, so while he should get some more MLB work in 2010, Giant fans should try to be patient while looking to 2011 as the timeframe for his arrival as a significant cog in the rebuilt Giant machine.

More Scouting Book Info on Madison Bumgarner >

SB #6 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #10 | SN n/a | ES #28

7. Buster Posey

C, SF

Not much power but a team leader with a lot of batting smarts. That's the book on Gerald 'Buster' Posey. He's got baseball grit and hustle out the yin-yang, though, so in a draft class that was rich with good catchers, he was both the first off the board and one of the most likely to see early MLB action.

The fact he was picked by a team that'll need a good young catcher soon is a bonus. And hey, if they ever need a closer, he can always take off his catching gear and pop out to the mound for an inning or two, the way he did in college. He has almost all the skills you'd hope to see in a franchise catcher, so as long as you're not expecting power numbers, Posey should turn out just fine.

More Scouting Book Info on Buster Posey >

SB #7 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #4 | SN n/a | ES #4

8. Martin Perez

LHP, TEX

An undrafted free agent signing from Venezuela, teenage lefty Martin Perez might be one of the Rangers' best-kept secrets. He's not close to MLB yet, but Perez is already a shining star worth following. Making 15 short starts (only 62 innings) at Rookie-level Spokane, Martin went 1-2 with a 3.65 ERA and a 53:28 ratio of strikeouts to walks. The skinny 17 year old, who's breaking down doors with a plus 92mph fastball and a polished curve, turns into a wiry 18 year old this spring, and he should graduate from dazzling rookie league hitters to stumping A-ball hitters in Hickory. He's someone to keep a special eye on over the next few years.

More Scouting Book Info on Martin Perez >

SB #8 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #18 | SN n/a | ES #7

9. Justin Smoak

1B, TEX

Smoak is part of a big class of mashing corner infielders (along with Alonso, LaPorta and Alvarez) pushing to break into the majors in the next year or two.

A bit of an odd pick for Texas in the 2008 draft, considering how many 1B options the Rangers already had, Smoak nonetheless had enough talent (not to mention the Southern roots) to make him a good fit in Texas. With a smooth, easy swing and decent power, this switch-hitting first baseman might just be the long-term answer to the Mark Teixeira shaped hole in the Texas lineup.

Look for him to arrive in late 2010 or 2011, and arrive with a big thumping noise when he does.

More Scouting Book Info on Justin Smoak >

SB #9 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #9 | SN n/a | ES #9

10. Pedro Alvarez

3B, PIT

A left-handed power hitting third baseman, Alvarez has a very very high ceiling and is almost big-league ready. He could be a big part of a devastating future Pittsburgh lineup. He's recovering from a hamate bone he broke in 2007, but all reports are positive so his strength should be back soon.

An offensive sleeper for 2010, depending on how deeply the Pirates shake up their roster, and likely to be playing every day by 2011.

More Scouting Book Info on Pedro Alvarez >

SB #10 | BA n/a | BP n/a | ML #8 | SN n/a | ES #35

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This page is the result of an automatic process that re-sorts and re-ranks players often. If you think you have found a mistake, though, please and we'll look into it for you.

Helping you track baseball prospects, sleepers and rookies. (Closers, too!)

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2010

Now updated for 2010's Top Prospects

Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010

1. Stephen Strasburg

2. Jason Heyward

3. Neftali Feliz

4. Mike Stanton

5. Desmond Jennings

6. Madison Bumgarner

7. Buster Posey

8. Martin Perez

9. Justin Smoak

10. Pedro Alvarez

Kansas City Royals: Top 2010 Prospects

Homegrown Pitching is Almost Here

Baltimore Orioles: Top 2010 Prospects

First Washington, now Baltimore? The East's Other Stealth Contender

Detroit Tigers: Top 2010 Prospects

Something Old, Something New: The Rebuilt Tigers Farm

Chicago White Sox: Top 2010 Prospects

Some Promising Youngsters Could Put the Sox Back on Top

Colorado Rockies: Top 2010 Prospects

Pitchers, not Sluggers, Dominate the Rockies' Future

San Diego Padres: Top 2010 Prospects

A Farm in Disrepair Needs More than Rain

San Francisco Giants: Top 2010 Prospects

The Giant Farm Lives Up to The Name

Arizona Diamondbacks: Top 2010 Prospects

A Few Diamonds Shine in the Desert

L.A. Dodgers: Top 2010 Prospects

The Team is Loaded with Local Talent, with More Ammo on the Way

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Helping you track baseball prospects, sleepers and rookies. (Closers, too!)

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2010

Now updated for 2010's Top Prospects

Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010

1. Stephen Strasburg

2. Jason Heyward

3. Neftali Feliz

4. Mike Stanton

5. Desmond Jennings

6. Madison Bumgarner

7. Buster Posey

8. Martin Perez

9. Justin Smoak

10. Pedro Alvarez

Homegrown Pitching is Almost Here

First Washington, now Baltimore? The East's Other Stealth Contender

Something Old, Something New: The Rebuilt Tigers Farm

Some Promising Youngsters Could Put the Sox Back on Top

Pitchers, not Sluggers, Dominate the Rockies' Future

A Farm in Disrepair Needs More than Rain

The Giant Farm Lives Up to The Name

A Few Diamonds Shine in the Desert

The Team is Loaded with Local Talent, with More Ammo on the Way

Resources for 2010

Our Most Popular Tools and Resources for Baseball Fans and Fantasy Players

ScoutingBook's Top 2010 Prospects